SECTION 340:50-5-106. Oklahoma Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Works (OK SNAP WORKS)

  The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) operates a voluntary SNAP employment and training program, OK SNAP Works, through a contracted service provider for adults receiving SNAP food benefits, per Section 273.7(e)(4) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations. OK SNAP Works intends to help food benefit recipients, especially able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD), become involved in meaningful, work-related activities that lead to paid employment and enable them to achieve or maintain economic self-support.

(1)   Worker responsibilities. It is the worker's responsibility to:

(A)   inform the applicant or recipient that:

(i)   participation in OK SNAP Works is voluntary; and

(ii)   any non-exempt, ABAWD in the household who is not complying with ABAWD work requirements, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:50-5-100 is automatically referred to OK SNAP Works;

(B)   ask if any exempt adult household member wants to voluntarily participate in OK SNAP Works;

(C)   give the applicant or recipient contact information for the contracted service provider to schedule an intake appointment, when an adult household member wants to participate in OK SNAP Works; and

(D)   send a referral to the contracted service provider for:

(i)   non-exempt ABAWDs who are not complying with ABAWD work requirements, per OAC 340:50-5-100; and

(ii)   non-ABAWDs who express an interest in participating in OK SNAP Works.

(2)   Referral and assessment. The worker sends a referral to the contracted service provider to initiate the intake process.

(A)   After receiving a referral from the worker, contracted service provider staff schedules referred work registrants for an orientation and comprehensive assessment.

(B)   Following orientation and assessment, each participant has an assessment interview with contracted staff to explore the participant's employment and training needs and barriers, communication and employment-related skills, education and employment history, and career interests.

(C)   Participants are then enrolled in a component that addresses their employment barriers.

(3)   OK SNAP Works component assignments. Once OK SNAP Works participants complete the intake process, they are enrolled in a component. OK SNAP Works components include job search, job search training, educational services, vocational training, Workfare for non-exempt ABAWDs only, work experience, and job retention services.

(A)   Job search component. Job search is a component that provides structured activities to help participants seek and obtain suitable employment.

(B)   Job search training component. Job search training is a component that enhances the job readiness of participants by teaching them job seeking techniques, increasing job search motivation, and boosting self-confidence.

(C)   Educational services component. Participants are placed in an educational services component when they do not have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate, have literacy issues, or need to learn or improve English language skills.

(D)   Vocational training component. Participants may receive vocational training when assessments indicate training is needed to enhance employability or industry-specific training is needed as part of a job placement program.

(E)   Workfare component. Workfare is a work component only available to non-exempt ABAWDs. Participants are assigned to work in a public service or a private, non-profit agency to obtain skills necessary to enhance employability or develop skills required for job placement.

(F)   Work experience. The work experience component is designed to improve the employability of participants through actual work experience and/or training. The goal of work experience is to enable participants to move into regular employment.

(G)   Job-retention component. A participant is assigned to job-retention classes when assessments indicate case management services, coaching, and peer support could help maintain employment and success in the workplace. This component is only allowed for 90-calendar days.

(4)   Supportive services. Supportive services are provided to participants when necessary and directly related to their ability to participate in the OK SNAP Works component. DHS authorizes payments for supportive services that may include, but are not limited to, covering the cost of:

(A)   child care under special circumstances. When child care is needed after assessment, the contracted service provider assists the client in completing a child care application. The application is sent to the OK SNAP Works coordinator to determine eligibility, per OAC 340:40;

(B)   clothing;

(C)   uniforms;

(D)   tools;

(E)   personal safety items;

(F)   books or training manuals;

(G)   transportation, such as bus tickets, public transportation passes, taxi cabs, sharing rides, or gas vouchers; or

(H)   other equipment deemed necessary for participation.

(5)   Contractor responsibility. The contracted service provider is responsible for tracking participation and informing the OK SNAP Works coordinator of the participation status and outcome performance measures for all referred persons.

(A)   When a referred person fails to participate in OK SNAP Works following a referral, contracted staff notifies the Adult and Family Services (AFS) OK SNAP Works coordinator within 10-calendar days, of the non-participation.

(B)   When the non-participant is an ABAWD who reached his or her food benefit receipt time limit, per OAC 340:50-5-100, the OK SNAP Works coordinator notifies the worker to close food benefits for the ABAWD effective the next advance-notice deadline date, per DHS Appendix B-2, Deadlines for Case Actions.

(6)   OK SNAP Works monitoring responsibilities. The AFS OK SNAP Works coordinator provides oversight and monitors the contracted service provider's performance in operating the OK SNAP Works Program.

[Source: Added at 35 Ok Reg 1659, eff 9-17-18; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1816, eff 9-16-19]